“Oh Jimmy Jimmy” is the first line of the ‘song’ the Barmy Army have sung for about 20 years every time James Anderson takes the ball to bowl for England in Test Match.

I’ve been there.  I’ve sat in the stands and listened to the Barmy Army in full voice cheering on Anderson (and others – they all have their own song).  In a funny way, it’s magical.  The sheer joy of witnessing the skill of one of England’s best ever bowlers is second only to the moment when a wicket falls.  It can bring the whole stadium to its feet – including a middle-aged introvert like me.

So, I was sad when I heard that James Anderson was retiring.  I was moved by the numerous tributes at his final Test Match at Lord’s last week.  I watched as much of it as I could.

The thing that stuck with me?  I listened to an interview with ‘Test Match Special’.  Jimmy said, “I’ve never been one to say, ‘I can’t do that’, I just work at it until I can”.

Yes, he’s talking about practical skills and that might not be the focus of our work for most of us.  But it’s the attitude that’s important here.

In his final match, on the final morning when the game was, to all intents and purposes won, Jimmy was seen racing to the boundary, putting in a diving stop and saving two runs.  If the opposition had scored four it would have made no difference to the outcome.  But he did it, because it’s what he always done.

So, you might not follow cricket, but I’m sure everyone can find some inspiration in the example of a man who has played Test cricket for over 20 years, executing the most demanding and difficult skills at the age of 41, when most fast bowlers don’t get much past their mid-thirties before injury or exhaustion forces retirement.  Taking to the field in the past year with players who weren’t born when he made his debut and performing as well as ever.

Oh, Jimmy Jimmy indeed.  We shall not see his like again.  (Who else do you know who can talk about cricket an quote Shakespeare at the same time?)